Vending machine



Jan- 5, 1932. L. FRY 1,839,84O

eeeeeeeeeeee t 1 B. L. FRY

VENDING MAGHINE Jan; s, 1932.

Filed Nbv. 18, 1929 4 shets-shetb 2 a Wal/"MP B. L. FRY

VENDING MCHINE Jan. 5, 1932.

Filed Nov. 18, 1929 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 f ar aaa I Patented Jan. 5, 1932UNITED States PArsiar ossce BENJ'AMIN Ir. FRY, OF ST. LOUIS, MSSOJ'BI,AESTGNOR TO NATIONAL SALES MACHINE COMPANY, OF ST. lLOU'IS, MISSOURI, ACORPORATION OF MISSOURI 'VENDING MACHINE Application fiiea 4November is,1929. senai ne. 4os,os2.

This inventionh'asvforvits object the provision of a-compact andefiicient mechanism whereby a vending machinemay be operated withcertainty and with ease and without liability of the yparts to biIid -atany stage in the Operation. ;Theinvention is applicable moreVparticularly to that type of vending machines in which therel is acolumn of compartmentseach containing anarticle to'be sold and in whichthere is provided means for successively uncovering the front end of theseveral-compartments in order. to permit removal of the ,merchandiseplaced therein. The invention is illust-rated vin .the accompanyingdrawings and will be hereinafter first fully. describedand then!moreparticu'- larly defined in. the appen'd'ed claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a perspective view ,of a-vending machine embodying mypresent improvements,

Fig. 2 is avertical section throughthema- 4chfine taken from front,torear,

3 is anL enlargeddetail .Vertical seci'* tion more specifically` showingthe Operating mechanism,.

Fig. 4 is a horizontalV section .taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3, r

Fig. 5 is a transverse section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3,

- Fig. 6 is an enlarged horizontal'se'ction on the line -fiofFig. 3,

Fig. 7 is an enlargeddetail vertical sectio on-the line .7 +7 -of Fi-g.3,and'

Figs. 8,79 and 10.areenlargeddetailsshowing different steps intheOperation of eXpos- V,ingthe merchandise .whchfis to be sold.

In carrying out the .present .invention, there is providedacabmetihaving. abase portion 1 which is closed-at its frontside by doors2 yhinged at theends of the cabinetand arranged tomeetaAjambf,atthecenter of'the front,v thezdoors being provided Withsuitable .locks the key to which will be' in the. possession of theowner of the machine. .The upper portion of the'ca-binet provides aplurality of .columnsteachcontaining a series of com- .partments Vyineach of which is placed one article or-package which is Offered forVsale.

Thebackgrofthis upper portion of `the acabinet is closed byidoors 6`which aref also equipped' with key-controlled locks so that access tothe cabinet unautliorized lpersons will be prevented' The severalcolumns, as shown most clearly in Fig. 4, are each stamped from sheetmetal into substantia-lly U form defining`` side walls 7 and a back'wall8 connecting the side wallsand constituti'ng a permanent rear closurefor the column. The several columns are Secured to a rigid'back frame 8'formed of angle bars shaped to fit closelyb Within theupper portion ofthe cabinet and reinforced by cross bars 9 of Channel formation, asshown. All the colum'ns and the back frame are assembled outside thecabinet and then insertedthrough theV back of 1 -the same so as to behandled Vas a single unit.

The back frame may be Secured within the cabinet by any -preferredmeans. The compartments are defined by shelves 10 of proper form anddimensions to fit between the side walls7 and against the'back wall 8ofla column and they are likewise formedof' sheet metal having dependingilanges v11 formed at their edges Whereby they may be riveted to thesidewalls and the back wall of the column, the shelves,4 of course, being.spaced -preferably equi-distantly through the entire height of thecolumn. An extension 12 is secured to one side wall of the column anddependsbelow the same to provide a support for the Operating` slidehereinafter more fully described. There is also an angle brace 13disposed below and s'ecured to the bottom shelf 10 and said extension'12so as to iinpart rigidityto theislide support, as will .be understood.The side walls of each column are'deflectedoutwardly at their frontedgesto form flanges 141 constituting guides andtracksfor a closurevl whichis commontothe entire vcolumn of compartmentsand, betweenadjacentclosures,.d1v1d1ng strips or panelsjl'are `Secured to the frame ltocover theside edges of the closurs andimpartal neat finish to* Jthecabinet. A fixed top 17 is secured over the upper end of lthefcabinet soas to prevent aci in place by long bolts 18 which extend therefrom toand through the cross braces 9 and are held by nutsfmounted on theirrear ends and turned home against said braces, as shown. In this manneraccess to the front of the compartments is positively prevented unlessthe proper coin for the Operation of the machine has been deposited.

The closurel is'an elongated plate having one edge formed into are-entrant liange 19 slidably itting around the flange lfi at one sideof the column and having a bead or Strip 20 Secured upon its rearsidealong its opposite edge, an angle bar 21 being secured againstsaidbead, as clearly shown in Fig. Ll. The bead or strip 20 is of the samethickness as the coacting flange 14 and the angle bar21 is so disposedthat one` edge engages behind said flange and thereby holds the closure15 slidably in position on'thecolunin. Projecting laterally from theangle bar 21 are spac'ed stu'ds or pins 22 which are setv apart a(hstance corresponding to the height of thecon'ipartments in the columnto which the closure is applied. Upon the side of the extension 12 issecured a guide loop or bracket 23l and alined 'with saidguide bracket23 another bracket 24 is Secured upon a cross bar 25 Vwhich is locatedwithin the cabinet in advance of the column and near the top of the baseportion 1 of the cabinet. The guide brackets 23 and 24 are Constructedwith vertically extending slots receiving a slide 26 which cooperateswith the pro]ections 22 to effect uncovering of a compartment and permitwithdrawal of the contents of the same. The slide 26 projects forwardlybeyond the front guide 24 and at itsfront eXtremity is' provided witha'projection 27 of any convenient form to which is'secured one end of aretractile sprin'g 28, the opposite end of said spring being attached tothe braclet 24, as clearly shown in Fig. 4. On vthe side of the-slide 26which is presented to the adjacent column and near the rear end of saidslide there are Secured or formed a pair of cooperating lugs orprojections 29 and 30, said lugs or projections being of a `generaltria'ngular form and having their confronting edges spaced apartto'define a passag'eway 31, thepurpose of which will presently appear.The lug or projection 29 is disposed somewhat forwardly of the lug' orprojection 30, thel latter being alsodisposed belowthe former, asclearly shown in'Figs. 8, 9 and 10, and the -upper forward lug has itsupper edge at its extreme forwardtportion flush with the upper edge ofthe slide but is formed with a shoulder 32 at an intermediate point inits length thereby bdefining a shelf or le'dge 33. The lower edge of thelower rear lug or projection is flush with the lower edge ofthe slide,as shown, this arrangement facilitating the proper location of thespective lugs, as will be understood.

When the machine has been stocked and placed in display and sellingposition, all of the closures 15 are at the extreme upper iimits oftheir movements and each closure completely covers the front ends of allthe compartments in the corresponding column. In this position thelowest stud or pin 22 rests on-the upper forward edge of the lug 29, theslideibeingthen in its rearmcst position illustrated in Figs. 3, Al and8. If the slide be drawn forward, the stud 22 will drop behind theshoulder 32 and rest upon the ledge 33, thereby preventing an immediatereturn movement of the slide and .frustrating any effort which might bemade to. operate the slide' so as to permit the withdrawal of more thanone article for a single fee. Inasmuch as the slide cannot be'pushedrearwardly, it must be drawn forwardto a greater extent and this forwardmovement is continued until the'projection 22 clears the rear end of theledge 33 and drops onto the upper edge of the lowerlug 30; When thisstage of the Operation has been reached,'the forward movement'of the'slide will be arrested and if no further movement were imparted to theslide, the contents of the compartment could not be' remoyed inasmuclias the vertical movement so far imparted to the closure has been justenough to perinit it to drop one-half the height of the compartment. Theclosure can only move in a vertical plane and, consequently, it will besupported in this half open position by' the pin or stud resting on theupper inclined edge of the lug` 30 until the slide is permitted'toretract which'action will occur under theinfluence of the Spring 28VWhen the pulling force upon the slidehas been released; The rearwardmovement of the slide will, of course, permit the stud or pin 22 to ridedownwardly on the upper* edge of the lug 30 and fully uncoverthecompartment and the stud will clearthe lug 30 just as the next studorpin 22 above reaches the upper edge of the lug 29 and of the slide, aswill be understood upon reference to Fisrs. 8. 9 and 10. It will thus beseen that, at'each operation of the slide, the closure is given a stepby st'e'p movement which will permit it to fully uncover theuppermostcovered compartment and will limit its movement tothe uncovering of saidcompartment.

To operate the slide 26, there is provided a plunger 34 with the rearend of which the slide is connected and there are also provided meanswhereby the plunger Will be inoperative until a coinofv the propervdenomination has been deposited. The plunger is slidably mounted in thefront wall of the cabinet and in'a guide bracket 35 Secured upon thecross bar 25, and the rear end of'the plunger is formed with a notch orslot 36 which receives a coupling arm 37 Secured rigidly to the side ofthe slide 26 and pronetingi-narsiai tm-,femme.passthfough said- -notc'hor\slot. 1 Theiarml 37 is Iprovided v`With a series.off-openingsW381in'anyoneof which may be' -en'gaged af' locky pin lorjikey 39 which is also insertedfthreugh'the rear end of'th'e plunger.iWhile'then'i'achine has been designed moref'particularly fon-se'llingsmall articles, such -as packaged i candy, cigars or the -like,-it jisadapted for the sale ofiany bthe plunger may be -set'apart the fproperdistance to accominodate'packages of any Width.

It Will be noted that-a chaiii or other flexible connection `4(-) isattached to and extends between-the fkey 39` and the lower end offtheclosu-re 715. This flexible "connection vprovides asimple butveffettive'stop to `prevent thefslidefldropping entirely from the guidesonwhich it is-mounted and also prevents loss of=`-the key or looking pin39. It may be utilizedfor .retur-ning the closureto its uppermostposition after restocking a column of conipartrnents, although a lip orprojection 75 -at or'near the upper endv'of the closure'is bprovided forthat purpose.v When-the supply of merchandise in anyone column has lbeenexfh-austed,-' the' uppermost: projection f on the closure -ivillbe-resting on the'slide fand the -lug-291thereon. lThe lug 29l Will, ofcourse,-

bein the path' offallthe'dovverstuds -or pro- '-jections f andconsequently- `Will= fnorm'ally interfferev With the return movement offthe. c'losure. V`'I`he'l:ey-or pin"'39'is, consequently,

Vivithdravvn fa ft'er `allthe compartments have been re'fillediandthe-slide 26' istlien'pushed -`=rearwardly av si'i'fficieiitE distancetocarry the lug 29 to the rear o-f'thel line'of studs or pins 22 afterwhich the elosure may be easily and qui'ckly "returned to its uppermostposition bypulling uponthe connection 40, as VWill .be

'understood.- The temporaryremoval of'the pin or key :29 permitstheslide 26 VWith its arm 137 to move rearWa-rdly Without bdisturbing theplunger- 34 and- Without any liability, therefore, of fjammingany of theparts cooperatingWith/thelplunger; After the cloj v mountmg'may' beeasily attaiiiedby fitting the bolts or screws,v as V51',-whichsecnrethe .rest in place through longitudinalslotswjn .the-guideextension asiis obvious. Therollar .orsleeve 43. whichL:providesthestop' :shoulder 44 is in like manner adjustablertoaccommodate different:v -movements, :as indisure has been fully raised,the slideis'returned'fto its :normal positioni'andf the keyv reinsertedthereupon setting the: machine'for further Operation. The arm' 87,.byinipact movement of the slide. 5 f f V`flheguide'' throughwhich the.plunger 84 Works fhas an extension 41' projecting for- War-dly tothefront' Wall'ofsthe cabinet 1and secnred theretof, the securingf-fia'iige .42 furwith-the .Guide bracket' 24, limits the forwardHrocked, i'as: indicated by the f dotted linesin Fig; 6, so that itsforWardend-.Willacleaii the lsupport the inserted eoin in the path of,the dog, IprovideV a rest -'5O which is Secured-to nishling anadditional guide for the .plunger and -reinforcing the front wall of'the cabinet around theopen-ingthrough which the plnng;

er plays. Betweenthe ends of the extension 41, a collarb or sleeve 43 issecuredthereto 570 and this collar Tor sleeveV encircles the .Plungerand is :providedat its rear end withl an ofiset tongue 44 Whereby a stopshoulder 45 is produced to be engaged by thefrontxend of a dog 46 vwhichis inounted in the plunger.

Said dog46 is pivotally mounted at 47 Within a longitudinal slot 48ofthe plunger and has'two arms disposed at an oblique angle toeachother,as shown clearly in Fig; 6.*V The forwardly extending arm Projectsfroinrone' side of the plungerand is adapted to iin- :pingeagainst'the'.shoulder 45 so that it vvill resi'st forward movementofVthe plunger'tif it be' attempted to .operate the same Without:previously depositing` the required coin. The

opposite end of the dogv projects beyoiid'the opposite side oftheplunger toward the guide extension 41- 'and is adapted `to1..,impvingeagainst theedge of an inserted Coin, -indi- Vthe stop shoulder 45 andthei'eby arrestthe movement, Whereas'if coiii be insertedfthe rear end,of the dog Will ride againstthe edge'of the coin and the' dogWill'thejreby-be stop shoulder' 45 aiid. permit the full forwai'dmovement of the plunger and; therefore, of the slidei25 tov operate theclosure 15. 221170 the side ofV the guide extension 41, as best shown inFig.` 3, the rear edgerof saidr=i'est being cuifved so as to'furnishaseatfor'the coin in which it will be heldbyV the pressure exertedthereon by the dog.y ``As the t dog inovesforWard-ly and is rocked aboutits pievot, it Will, of course, clear'the Coin-which,

being thereby released, Will roll froni` the rest into the ycoin; box:.In order to `adjust 1: the

fmachine for Operation :by coins ofthe properdenomination.` the rest'fOis adjustablelongiztudinally of the extension-41 so thati'itwill .benormallyfatv a greater :or less distance .from

the end of the dog 46 ,andvthis adjustable'VA cated' at 52. -The plungeris alsopn'ovided with a stop 53 on its side which is-adapted to iinpingeagainstt thefrdnt; endzof the sleeve orlcollar 48, as shown in Figs. 3and 6, to thereby limit the rearward movement of the plunger andcausethe parts to come to rest before the. supported Stud 22 has achan'ce'to drop over the front end of the lug 29:v

- Upon referring` to Figs; 1 and 2, it will be .noted that thebase'portion of the cabinet is considerably greater in depth than theupper portion containing the selling, columns, .therehy producing ashelf-like structure in which are coin slots 54 alined with therespective columns whereby an intending' purchaser may deposit the coinin the proper slot to effect Operation ofsuch closure as will uncoverthe dcsired merchandise. Alined with the respective columns andcorresponding coin slots' are display pockets 55 which are provided inthe top 58 of the cabinet base between the coin lslots and the columns,as shown in Fig. 2, the several pockets being` covered by a panel 56 ofglass or other transparent material. The pockets have a com- .monbottom57 which is hinged at its reai` edge to the under side of the top 58 andis held in closed position to support the saniples, indicated at 59, bylatches 60 of any approved type. It will be understood that in eachpocket is placed a sample of the articles which are offered for sale inthat column in advance of which the pocket is located and, of course,the prospective customer will deposit his coin in the slot'immediatelyin front- `of the selected sample. The severalplungers 34 are arrangeddirectly below the respective coin slots, as shown in Fig. 1, and eachplungeriis :equipped with a knob or other handle 60to facilitate itsOperation. The extension 41 of the guide bracket 85 has a coin chute 61Secured thereto and this coin chute extends upwardly to a pointimmediately below the correspondingslot 54 so that the inserted coinwillbe directed to the rest 50, as will :be understood. This coin' chute' isequipped with mechanism whereby slugs or other spurious devlces arereJected and turned aside so tlfatthey will not pass to the coin rest50,

lhopper into two compartments 64 and 65, the

front compartment 64 Yreceiving the coins and'di'recting them into thecoin box 66 which is placed upon the floor of the cabinet, as shownclearly in Figs.v 1 and 2, while the compartment 65 receives the slugsand directs them into the rear box 67. I The boxes 66 and :67 arepreferably one integral Structure and are placed Vupon the floor of thecabinet immediately at the rear :of the jamb 3 and bearingi against thejambv or an interposed block".

Therear -end of the box bears against a brace 68 secured upon the floor.of ,the cabinet and extending from sidev to side of the same, as

shown. The lower fend of the hopper is supcleat or stop 70,,,and alatchfl is hingedly l' mounted upon the floor of .the cabinet at theopposite side of the box .and Vadapted to abut the same so that the boxwill be very firmly held in place by and between the jamb 8 at tweenVthe stop- 70 and the latch bar' 71. VVhenthe boxis to be removed,thelatch bar 71 is easily swung upwardly'to permit the box tobe movedlaterally so as to clear the jamb and` then brought forwardly throughthe doorway of the cabinet. H

From the foregomg descript1on,taken 1n connection with the accompanylngldrawings,

it willbe seen that I have providedan excee-dingly simple, Acornpact andefiicient mechamsm whereby the desired' Operation ofa .vending machinemay be easily attained and attempts to operatethe machinevso as v toobtain merchandise without paying -therefor will be frustrated. I t willbe noted that the Structure provides columns of commodit-yreceivingcompartments in which each article will be stored within a separatecompartment and the removal of one article will not disturb ordisarrange any ,other articles. The a-rticles ofi'ered for sale .arealways thor- Voug-hlyprotected againstlthe access of dust orv otherdeleterious influences .and the vcl onipulation of the closure iseffected in such aI manner thatwhen a compartment has been uncovered thepartswill Vhave been returned to normal position and a secondcompartment the front and the brace-68 at the back and becannot beuncovered until a second coin has i been deposited.V It will also benoted that the deposited coin doesnot operate directly upon the closurefor the compartme'nts and, consequently, the action of the'closure isposi- -tive and yfree of uncertainty. F urthermore,

the closure isnot permitted to -drop the full height of a compartment inone movement and, therefore, the lia-bility 'of the closure to break orbend or jam any'of the parts is ff' overcome.Y

Inasmuch as the several compartments are separate and d1st1nct, there-is no likelihood of theV ca-ndypaclragessticking. together which oftenhappensfwhen the articles are.

stacked on upon another in a single tier.

Furthermore, the graduallorstepped movement of the closure Vplate allowsa gentle Opening movement thereof and effectually prevents damage tosaid closure plate and its .i l

ias

sure'isso manipulated thatit will vexpose 295 only one Compfll'tment ata time and the maassociated parts which would otherwise occur should theplate drop the entire distance of one compartment at each operation oftlie machine. Having thus described the invention, I claim:

1. In a vending machine, a magazine including a plurality ofcompartments, vertically movable plate forming a closure to all of saidcompartments, an actuating member located at one side of said plate andhaving horizontal supporting ledges and a vertically extending shoulderbetween said ledges and a forwardly and downwardly inclinecl slot belowthe same, and a series of vertically alined and spaced pins extending`from the closure plate adapted to successively engage the ledges uponforward movement of the actuating member` to perinit partial. down- Wardmovement of the closure and engage the shoulder to prevent rearwardmovement of the actuating member, the engaged pin entering the slotuponvcompletionb of the forward stroke of the actuating member to permitrearward movement thereofand a complete downward movement of the closureto expose a single compartment. 2. In a vending machine, the combinationof a column of article-receiving compartinents, a closure common toall'of the compartments slidably mounted at the front ends of the same,an operating'slide at one side of the column of compartments, verticallyalined and spaced studs onl the side of the closure, and cooperatingelements on the side of the slide adapted to be engaged by said studswhereby to permit a part-iai downward movement of the closurev uponforward movement of the slide and a further downward movement of theclosure upon rear- Ward movement of the slide, the last movement of theclosure bringing a second stud into a position of rest upon the slideand disposing the first-engaged stud below the slide to prevent reversemovement of the closure. 3. In a vending machine, the combination with acolumn of article-receiving compartments, of a vertically movableclosure common to all said compartments, a series of vertically alinedstuds on the side of the closure spaced apart eorresponding to theheights of the compartments, a slide disposed at one side of thecoinpartments, a stepped projection oii the side of the slide adapted tobe engaged by one of said studs wliereby upon forward movement of theslide the stud will be supported temporarily at successively lowerlevels and will prevent rearward movement of the slide, and a secondprojection on the slide spaced from the first projection to define adownwardly and forwardly inclined passageway receiving said stud uponcompletion of the forward movement of the slide to permit rearwardmovement of the slide whereby the Stud will be given a further downwardmovement and the closure will be shifted to fully uiicoveronecompartme'nt.

4.. In a vending machine,. the combination with a column ofyarticle-receiving compartments, of. a verticallyimovable closureicommonto all said compartments, a series of vertically alined studs onV theside of the closure spacedr apart corresponding v`to the. heightsof thecompartments, a slide disposed at -one side of the; compartments,astepped projec- V,

tion on the sideof the slide adapted to be engagedL by one of said studswherebyupon forivard inovenientof the slidetlie stud will be supportedtenipoiarily at successively lower levels and will prevent reversemovement of the slide, a second projection on the -slide L" spaced fromthe-first projection .to definea forwardly f and downwardlyinclinedpassageway receiving said studwhereby rear.-V

ward movement of the slide will be perm'it-| r ted and the stud willbegiven a further downwardmovement and the closure willbe Shiftedtofully'uncover' one compartmeniand means whereby an additional. rearwardmoveinent may be imparted to the slide to Clear ai; the studs andpermit. a continuous return movement lof the closure. v y

Ina vending machine, the. combination witli a column of article.receiving compartments, of a vertically movablefclosure com? C.,inon'rtoV all .of the compartments,,an actuating member forimparting aStepV by step downwardV movement' ,to theclosure tov successively exposethe separatefcompar'tments, a pliinger at one side ofand parallel withthe actuati'ng member, a coupling. arm projecting. laterally from theactuating. member and slidably engaging the inner end portion oftheplunger, and means for connectingthecoupling arm to the plunger toprevent relativemovement of the plunger and the actuating member.v

6. In a vending machine, the combination with a column of articlereceiving compartments, of a vertically inovable closure common to allof the compartments, an actuating F member for imparting a step by stepdownward movement to the closure to successively eXpose the separatecompartments, a plunger having a slotted end, a coupling arm Secured tothe actuating member and fitted in the slotted end of the plunger, saidc'oupling member being provided with a plurality of openings, and a pincarried by the plunger and engaging one of the opcnings in the couplingarm to secure said parts in asmember and fitting in the Slotted end ofthe plunger, said arm being provided with a plurality of openings, a pinfitting throughthe Slotted end of the plnnger and engaging one of theopeningS, and a flexible connection between the pin and the lowerportion of' the closure.

8. In a vending machine, the combination V with a column'of articlereceiving compartments, of a vertically movable cloSure common to all ofthe compartments, a bracket Secured to said compartments, a guide Spacedfrom the bracket, an actuating member Slidconnection between the plungerand the actu- 40 atmg member.

ably mounted in the guide and'bracket re- Spectively for imparting aVStep by Step downwar'd movement to the closure to SucceSSively eXpoSethe separate compartments, a plunger, a cloupling arm extendinglaterally from the aotuating member and operatively connected with theplunger, a projection carried by one end of the actuating member, aSpring forming a connection between the projection and guide, and aflexible connection between the plunger and cloSure to limitdownwardmovement of the closure.

9. In a vending machine, the combination with a column of articlereceiving compartments, of a vertically movable cloSure commonto a11`ofthe compartments, an actuating ,member'for imparting a Step by Stepdownward movement to the closure to SucceSSively expose the separatecompartmentS, a plunger, a coupling arm' extending laterally from the 1;actuating member and having an adjustable detachable connection with theplunger, av

retractile i Spring i operatively connected with the actuating member,and a flexible connection bbetween the cloSure and the adjustable InteStimony whereof I afix my Signature. BENJAMIN L. FRY.

est

